Tag: TTC–Keele

Whelan’s Gate (website, Twitter)1663 Bloor Street West, Toronto ON M6P 1A6 (on the south side, east of Keele Street, just east of Indian Road, the nearest intersection is Keele Street and Bloor Street West) 416-531-1311Google Maps

Good for a date, an evening with friends or a tête-à-tête.

The first time I went to Whelan’s Gate was just before my husband and I signed the papers for our first house. We needed to relax and going to a pub seemed logical. Since then I’ve been to this pub a number of times as I have friends who live nearby and I find myself liking the pub more and more each time I go. Interestingly, it was only recently that I realized there was an upstairs part.

The downstairs is cramped, with stools and wooden bench seating, and features a drinking rail that juts out, forcing people to walk towards the back before going into the room. Upstairs, Whelan’s Gate is broken into two rooms, with a fireplace in the back room, and is more inviting with proper tables and chairs. The pub’s general décor is classic British, with exposed beams and the stairwell features two interesting embedded sculptures just above eye level. Note, the pub can get crowded, so go early and stay late.

Number of visits by yours truly: five or six, most recently on a Wednesday afternoon in January 2011TTC information: Keele Station’s east exit, within stumbling distanceBooze selection: not a wide selection as they only have 15, one cider — Strongbow (no Pimm’s)Food selection: standard with wraps and burgersService staff: friendly and promptPrices: my friend kindly treated, but the cost seemed reasonableToilets: lovely, the kind of which your grandmother would approve (the best so far of the first 120 pubs I’ve reviewed for this blog!)Patio: two, north on the street with minimal seating, other south-facing and accessible from second floor at backWheelchair accessible: no, but front patio appears to be accessibleTelevisions: single TV on the ground floor, not too big and right over the barLive music: Mondays to FridaysPiped-in music: decent, third time that week I’d heard The Who’s “Teenage Wasteland” in a pub

“There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn.” Samuel Johnson

“‘Tis my intention, gentle sir, to perish in a tavern.” Unknown, 13th century

“As I never refuse a small expence for the sake of a merry companion, we instantly adjourned to a neighbouring alehouse, and, in a few moments, had a frothing tankard, and a smoaking steak spread on the table before us. It is impossible to express how much the sight of such good cheer improved my companion’s vivacity.” Oliver Goldsmith

“Alcohol makes other people less tedious, and food less bland.” Christopher Hitchens

“There cannot be good living where there is not good drinking.” Benjamin Franklin

“I suddenly realize that, of all the buildings in the world — art galleries and hospitals and libraries and good homes — pubs are the best kind of buildings.” Caitlin Moran